Fire warning for 11 New Jersey counties for Thursday

At 3:39 p.m. Wednesday, a red flag warning was issued by the National Weather Service, effective Thursday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. for Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Ocean, Cumberland, Atlantic and Cape May counties.

Expect northwest winds of 10 to 30 km/h with gusts up to 30 km/h and relative humidity of only 30 percent.

“The combination of very dry conditions, low relative humidity and gusty winds will result in favorable conditions for the rapid spread of fires. Any fires that develop could be difficult to contain, especially in the Pine Barrens region,” the weather service added to.

What is the meaning of a red flag warning?

A red flag warning means extreme fire conditions are currently occurring or will occur soon, the weather service said. Warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds are expected to combine to create an increased risk of fire spreading quickly.

What steps should you follow during a red flag warning?

A red flag warning requires vigilance and immediate preparedness to respond to possible fires. The weather service offers these essential guidelines to minimize fire hazards and ensure your safety:

1. Safe burn vessels:

• In areas where controlled burning is permitted, ensure that burn barrels are fitted with a heavy metal hood fitted with holes no larger than 3/4 inch.

2. Careful disposal of smoking materials:

• Avoid indiscriminately disposing of lit cigarette butts and avoid throwing cigarettes or matches from moving vehicles. These seemingly harmless actions can ignite dry vegetation and possibly start a forest fire.

3. Properly extinguish outdoor fires:

• To prevent accidental fires, extinguish all outdoor fires carefully. Deglaze with plenty of water and stir to ensure complete cooling. Submerge the charcoal until it is completely devoid of residual heat. Never leave live charcoal unattended.

4. Never leave fire unattended:

• Avoid leaving it on unattended. Even small sparks or floating embers can ignite nearby foliage or grass, causing a fast-spreading fire.

Understanding the seriousness of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is critical in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions. Prioritize safety, stay informed, and act responsibly to protect lives and property.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots, which uses machine learning to gather the latest data from the National Weather Service.